I CAN’T – HE CAN

Phil. 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Have you figured out that the Christian life is not hard, it is impossible. That is the whole point of salvation. There is no way anyone can live the Christian life. Actually there was one who did, Jesus of Nazareth. He was the only sinless man. He was the perfect sacrifice for sinful man and now not only represents us before the Father, He actually works in us Himself through the Spirit to live the Christian life in us. He not only forgives me, He lives in me to will and to do for His good pleasure. He believes through me, He prays through me, His peace resides in me, and even His holiness. Christ lives His life inside me for His glory. Here are some thoughts from A.B. Simpson on Christ’s life in us.
“Let Him also be the sufficiency and strength for all the day. Let us never forget the secret: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). Let us have Jesus Christ Himself in us to do the works, and let us every moment depend on Him, both to will and do [in us] of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Let our holiness be the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). Let our health be the life . . . of Jesus . . . manifest in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:11). Let our faith be the faith of the Son of God, who loves [us] (Galatians 2:20). Let our peace and joy be His peace and joy. And let our service be not our works, but the grace of Christ within us.”
If this is true it takes the pressure off of me. When I face challenges in my ministry, He works in me. I have always had a difficult time in social situations. Some would say I can be socially awkward. The difficult part is this, I am a preacher. Public speaking was always one of my greatest fears. How did I overcome those fears? I haven’t!! I am still terrified to speak in front of people. It requires total dependence on Christ in me. Here is the conclusion. When I can’t, He can and does. The secret to living the life God has called us to live is recognizing that you can’t but He can. I must trust Him for everything.